THE Alarm might be fast-approaching Welsh rock ‘n’ roll elder statesman status but that hasn’t stopped their inspirational frontman Mike Peters from maintaining a career that has vaulted the decades.

THE Alarm might be fast-approaching Welsh rock ‘n’ roll elder statesman status but that hasn’t stopped their inspirational frontman Mike Peters from maintaining a career that has vaulted the decades.

In fact, he’s never been busier. Peters and his band head out on a UK tour shortly to promote their latest album Vinyl – which acts as the soundtrack to the new movie of the same name which is released next month.

The film, which stars Phil Daniels and Keith Allen, received its first ever showing at The Gathering – the annual convention for Welsh rockers held in Prestatyn at the end of January. It tells the story of how Mike Peters hoaxed the music industry and scored a hit record back in 2004.

Then the musician, in an attempt to throw the spotlight on ageism in the music industry, hit the charts by hiring fresh-faced young Welsh band The Wayriders to lip-synch The Alarm song 45 RPM under the guise of The Poppyfields in an attempt to convince DJs it was the work of a hot new band.

The scam landed them a top 30 chart placing and managed to fool Radio 1 DJs Mark Radcliffe and Steve Lamacq, as well as critics who raved about the song.

The story, which was broken by our sister title Wales on Sunday, hit the headlines around the world and resulted in the film, helmed by Welsh director Sara Sugarman, being shot on location in North Wales.

The soundtrack to accompany the movie, featuring new material by The Alarm, will be released on March 4, while the film will be released nationwide on March 15. The film will also be screened at Ffresh – the Student Moving Image Festival of Wales – at Glyndwr University in Wrexham on February 20.

When The Alarm head out on tour they will also be inviting bands to be the official opener at each gig. The opportunity is open to all bands and artists who have a ReverbNation profile page.

“This year The Alarm office has been inundated with requests from artists all over Britain to support like I’ve never known since I started the band,” says Peters. “So we decided to do something about it and linked up with ReverbNation who have provided us with a fair and equitable way that gives everyone a chance to be part of the tour in some shape or form be it on stage or getting their new music played over the PA.”

Interested musicians should head to www.reverbnation.com/thealarm where they’ll find more information and also a short instructional video.

The Alarm play Cardiff University on March 1. Tickets priced £18 from the box office on 029 2023 0130 or via www.cardiffboxoffice.com